ARCHITECTURE students were given a guided tour through the £80 million Barons Quay project last week.

Sir John Deane’s College visited the Barons Quay site last week with their tutor Glyn Dulson for a tour and talk.

The Sir John Deane’s College students were given a glimpse behind the scenes by Matt Brook, the lead architect for the scheme.

Mr Brook, director of Broadway Malyan, explained how Northwich’s Victorian structures such as the Town Bridge and the Anderton Boat Lift have inspired Barons Quay’s contemporary design.

Glyn Dulson, tutor at Sir John Deane’s College, said: “The students had a fantastic day visiting Barons Quay.

“It was a real insight into how architects work and the processes that they go through to take buildings through to completion.

“It was a thoroughly great experience."

Catherine Fox, from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), explained to the students about the council’s role in the overall development.

Additionally, Ashley Rogan from Balfour Beatty gave an insight into the work contractors do on-site, including how the main travellator arrived in pieces and was then put together.

Cllr Brian Clarke, CWAC cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure said: “Thanks to the team for showing the students around.

“Being able to have access to a major development provides a wealth of experience to see how a site is managed see the construction process first hand.”

The £80 million scheme will include restaurants, more than 30 retail units, public open space to the River Weaver frontage and parking for 900 vehicles.

It will also include an Asda superstore, Marks and Spencer’s, petrol station and a five-screen Odeon cinema featuring one of the first iSense screens in the UK.

The scheme will also feature public open space to the River Weaver frontage. Phase one of the development is anticipated to open at the end of the year.

The Barons Quay scheme is part of the borough council’s grand plans of transforming Northwich town centre.

Its arrival follows the opening of Northwich Memorial Court, the leisure and entertainment facility that opened last summer.

It is part of the council’s wider aim of making the borough more vibrant and healthier with inclusive leisure, heritage and culture.